In its first act, the Task Force wrote the Administration for Community Living at the Department of Health and Human Services to ask for a greater review of whether programs authorized under the Older Americans Act (OAA) are meeting the needs of LGBT seniors.

“For many older Americans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, a lifetime of discrimination has undermined their right to a retirement with dignity,” said Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), LGBT Aging Issues Task Force Chair. “With 76 million Baby Boomers entering or nearing retirement and more than 44 million Americans already over the age of 65, we cannot afford to ignore the unique challenges faced by LGBT seniors, especially in communities with large retiree populations like South Florida. The House Equality Caucus is committed to advocating for their needs, and I am honored to take the lead with our new Aging Task Force.”

“Older adults who identify as LGBT face unique and uncomfortable challenges that are not widely understood or addressed,” said Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), LGBT Equality Caucus Co-Chair. “The Aging Task Force will become an important resource and advocate for a community of people that often experience social and cultural isolation as they age. I’m grateful to Congressman Deutch for chairing the task force and I look forward to shedding light on an issue that deserves our attention.”

“The task force is tasked with examining the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by LGBT older adults,” LGBT Equality Caucus Executive Director Roddy Flynn said. “Too many elderly LGBT people are forced to go ‘back in the closet’ out of fear of discrimination or harassment from caregivers and housing providers. LGBT elders also suffer from higher rates of poverty, are more likely to live alone and lack any close relatives to call for help. These challenges are in addition to the declining health, diminished income and loss of friends and family that all older Americans face. Despite advances in civil rights, LGBT elders remain one of the most invisible, underserved and at risk populations among elders in the United States.”

The mission of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus is to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. The bipartisan LGBT Equality Caucus is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBT people in the U.S. and around the world. By serving as a resource for Members of Congress, their staff, and the public on LGBT issues, the Caucus works toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and wellbeing for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.